Upholstering can be an intimidating task but don’t worry, we are here to help you! Doing it yourself can save you time and costs and can give a satisfaction of a job well done. In this article, we’ll show you the step-by-step process for how to upholster inside corners, giving you the perfect finish for any furniture, be it old-fashioned or modern. We’ll go over the tools you’ll need, preparations you should take, as well as additional finishing steps, to help ensure your project looks polished and professional. Let’s get started with how to upholster inside corners!
How to Upholster Inside Corners
Upholstering furniture is a craft that has been around as long as people have had furniture. For those who want to take on upholstering projects, tackling inside corners can be one of the most challenging aspects. In this guide, we will talk through the steps you need to take to upholster inside corners like a professional, from gathering materials and tools to finishing up the project.
Overview
When upholstering an inside corner, the most important part is to make sure it stays taught and secure. Upholstering an inside corner requires a few extra steps which can be tedious. It is important to get the padding and fabric as smooth and tight as possible before beginning the stapling and tacking/welting process. Proper preparation is key when upholstering inside corners.
When upholstering inside corners, make sure to measure the size and shape of the corners twice if possible. It is important to confirm measurements and use an equal excess of fabric on both ends for perfect symmetry. Cutting the fabric to the correct corner size is an important step in the upholstering process.
Another important step in the upholstering process is to ensure that the padding used is the same thickness in both corners. If the depth of the padding is not even, one side may be bumpy or uneven. Create a pattern of the inside corner to ensure the padding is distributed evenly and secured with tack strips. The tack strips should also be even and match the shape and size of the corner perfectly. The tack strips will help hold the fabric and padding in place.
In conclusion, it is not difficult to upholster inside corners, but with the right preparation and measurements, they will look seamless. Follow the steps provided and with a bit of patience and attention to detail, your upholstered corners will look stunning.
Gather Tools and Materials
Gathering the Right Tools and Materials
For upholstering inside corners, it is essential to have the right tools and materials as they can make the job go smoothly and quickly. The basic tools and materials you will need include: upholstery staples, staple gun, fabric, foam padding, scissors, marking pen and a ruler.
Upholstery Staples, Staple Gun and Staples
Upholstery staples and a staple gun will tie the fabric and foam padding together onto the corner. The staples should be durable enough to hold up for a long period of time.
Fabric and Foam Padding
The type of fabric you choose will depend on the décor style you want and the purpose of the chair. The foam padding should be firm and thick enough to provide enough cushioning, but not too thick to be uncomfortable.
Scissors, Marking Pen and Ruler
Scissors are needed to cut fabric and foam padding into the appropriate sizes. The marking pen is for drawing lines on the fabric to make sure it lines up properly. The ruler is needed to make sure the fabric is cut straight and even.
Pre-Upholstering Preparations
Before undertaking the upholstering project, there are some preparations that need to be done. These preparations are important for the success of the upholstering job. Here is a checklist of what needs to be done for pre-upholstering preparations:
- Remove old fabric from the corner.
- Clean off any excess glue or residue from the corner.
- Use sandpaper to smooth out any rough surfaces.
- Check the frame to make sure it is in good condition.
- Measure the corner, including allowing extra fabric for folding and covering the corner.
- Cut the fabric accordingly.
- Lay the fabric flat on a table and apply the adhesive according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once all of these preparations have been completed, the upholstering of the corner can begin. It is important to take your time and be precise when performing these preparations, as a poorly prepared corner may result in an unsuccessful upholstering job. Make sure to pay close attention to the details and ensure that every step is done correctly for the best possible results.
Upholstering the Inside Corners
When upholstering inside corners, you will need to create a seam between the two pieces of fabric that meet in the corner. With the two pieces of fabric, fold the sides over on top of one another so that the raw edges and the fold match up. Then, use a curved needle and upholstery thread to sew a seam between the two fold edges and the raw edges. Make sure to use tightly looped, consistent stitches to create a neat and sturdy seam. Once the seam is complete, fold the fabric back into the corner, ensuring that it is neat and tidy.
You will then need to use a good quality, thick upholstery fabric to create a corner cushion. Begin by cutting the upholstery fabric into a square that is a few inches larger than the corner in both directions. Then, place the fabric right sides together and pin it together. To create the corner cushion, use a curved needle and upholstery thread and go around the pinned upholstery fabric twice. You will also need to stitch around the corner while you sew the sides, making sure to keep the stitches close together. When you are finished, turn the corner cushion right side out, stuff it with a pillow stuffing, and close off the last side. Finally, attach the corner cushion to the corner of the upholstery by stitching it in place.
These steps will help you create a professional-looking corner for your upholstery project. With a few basic tools, a few cuts of fabric, and some patience, you can create a beautiful and finished inside corner for your furniture piece.
Additional Finishing Steps
Once you have the fabric secured, your upholstery project is almost finished. Here are a few additional finishing steps you should consider in order to complete it.
- Thread: Use a waxed thread and hand-stitch the excess fabric at the corners, ensuring that it is flat and secure. You can also consider using a thread that matches the upholstery fabric to help the areas blend in better.
- Tacks: To keep the edges of the fabric in place, use upholstery tacks or nails spaced throughout the corner.
- Secure Tabs: If the edges of the fabric are too bulky for tacks, you can add tabs to help flatten them. Cut small rectangles from the same fabric, sew them onto the edge, and secure them with pins.
- Filler: Before you stitch the corners in place, you may need to use filler material like foam or batting to keep the area in shape. If you’ve decided to add tabs, this step is not necessary.
Once you’ve completed the threads, tacks, tabs, and filler steps, your upholstered inside corner is finished. You can move onto the next part of your project, or stand back and admire your handiwork. Congratulations!